Episode S1:03: Sheryl Soukup
Sheryl Soukup, President, Soukup Strategic Solutions & Vice Chair ROOF (Residential Options of Florida)
“Everyone has the right to live in and be a part of their community, including those with disabilities. No one should have to live in a licensed facility because they can’t afford to live in a private home. Housing affordability makes a community truly inclusive, regardless of a person’s abilities. ROOF is pleased to offer affordable housing for people with disabilities in Charlotte County and is looking for partnerships to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to live in and be a part of the Charlotte County community.”
Soukup’s professional experience spans a wide range of industries and disciplines, with work in nonprofits, small business and corporate environments, including academic and scientific research, manufacturing, market research, retail, restaurants, catering, child care, rental housing, equestrian facility, community centers, churches, hospital and health clinics, schools and universities. Soukup served as an executive director and chief executive officer for nonprofits in Southwest Florida for ten years (2002 to 2012) before founding Soukup Strategic Solutions. Soukup moved to Florida in 2002 from Boston, where she worked for Children’s Hospital Boston and Boston Metro Early Intervention. Soukup holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts. Her background in science provides clients with expertise in data collection and analysis. When applied to nonprofit management, this expertise allows clients to develop strategic goals and effective strategies for measuring success.
Soukup has served in a variety of nonprofit leadership roles in Florida and Massachusetts, including service on boards and committees at the local and statewide level. Soukup is a graduate of Leadership Collier (2008) and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Partners in Policymaking (2004). Soukup was a recipient of the Women of Achievement Award from the Collier County Chapter of the American Association of University Women (2010) and the Citizen of the Year Award from the Lee County Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (2005). In 2012 Soukup was recognized by Gulfshore Business in “The Influential’s: 29 of Southwest Florida’s Most Powerful Women.” In 2018 Soukup was recognized by the Florida Housing Coalition for “groundbreaking innovation in meeting the housing needs of individuals with disabilities and their families,” related to her work with Residential Options of Florida.